Kathy McCarthy Grilliot

Kathy McCarthy Grilliot

Kathy McCarthy starred for the Bennett swimming team all four years in high school. Kathy was a pioneer in girls sports in Buffalo by becoming the first girl (along with teammate Lydia Manuel) to make a boys varsity squad. Trained by her dad, Vince, and coached by Byron Vickery, Kathy became the first girl to earn All-High honors by winning the 100 yard Butterfly in 1971. Kathy made believers out of doubters that felt girls could not compete at boys level on varsity teams.


In her first three years of competition, Kathy failed to finish first only twice in her specialty, the 100 yard butterfly event. Kathy also showed some versatility by winning several 400 yard freestyle events. During her sophomore season, Kathy was undefeated during the regular season, and came away from the All-High meet with another title. Kathy was the only girl to compete in that meet. As a senior, Kathy was a teammate of her freshman sister, Mary Lou.

Kathy followed her stellar high school career by landing a swimming scholarship to Lake Forest College (Illinois). Kathy Mccarthy Grilliot is now residing in Vienna, VA, and is teaching in the Respiratory Therapy Program at Northern Virginia Community College.

Walter Valley

Walter Valley

Walter was a rare 4 year starter on the varsity swim team. The Tigers were the “Syracuse Cup” champions all four years during Walter’s career. Walter was a large part of the powerhouse Bennett teams during that era that amassed a 45 consective meet winning streak. During Walter’s brilliant career at Bennett he achieved 6 All-Highs and 3 city records. The All-High events included the 100 yard backstroke (twice), 200 yard free (city record), 200 yard indidual medley, 400 yard free relay (city record) and the 100 yard breast stroke (city record).

After High School Walter continued his swimming career at Buffalo State College.

Walter Valley will be remembered as one of the best swimmers in Bennett history, in an era when the Tiger swim teams were at their strongest. Walter still resides in the Buffalo area.

Leslie Samson

Leslie Samson

Leslie accomplished a rare achievement in high school by being a 4 sport star athlete. Leslie spent her Fall seasons at Bennett as a volleyball player all 4 years, was a swimmer in the winter season her first two years and switched to basketball her final two years. In the Spring season Leslie was a 4 year standout in softball. In volleyball, Leslie was a two year All-High performer, leading scorer and team MVP. In basketball Leslie was again team MVP and rose to 2nd team “All-High” status. In softball, Leslie shined brightest as a pitcher/center fielder, and selected as 1st team “All-High” her junior and senior years. At graduation Leslie received the “Irene Stern Wilkinson Award” for being the outstanding female athlete of her class. Upon graduation, Leslie attended Canisius College. She began her college softball career as a “walk-on”, but was soon given a partial scholarship for the remaining time there. Leslie had an outstanding career at Canisius, ranking high on their all- time list in several offensive categories. Leslie rose to the level of “All MMC” as a center fielder in her senior year, and was inducted into the Canisius College Sports Hall Of Fame. Leslie now resides in Henderson, NV.

David McCarthy

David McCarthy

David McCarthy was a four year varsity swimmer while at Bennett.The Tigers captured the “Syracuse Cup”, awarded to the city schools swim champions, all four years of David’s tenure at Bennett. In David’s spar1<.ling swim career, he captured a total of 1 0 All-High medals and two city records. Starting in his his freshman year, McCarthy was All-High in the 1 00 yard backstroke, which turned out to be his “specialty”. McCarthy achieved 3 All-Highs, one in each of his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. The events included the 1 00 yard backstroke, 200 yard freestyle, and 400 yard free relay. The city swim records occurred in the 1 00 yard backstroke and 400 yard free relay.

McCarthy attended E.C.C. after Bennett. He is now married and a hospital wor1<.er in the state of Virginia. David is the third of the McCarthy siblings to be inducted into the Bennett Sports Hall Of Fame.

Kim Poliachik Grant

Kim Poliachik Grant

Kim was a well-rounded student while at Bennett. She was a class officer, on the prom committee and stage crew among her many activities. Yet she still found time to be on an athletic team all three sport seasons, all four years at Bennett. Kim was named “Most Athletic Female” in her senior year. The fall sports season found Kim playing volleyball, where she was team captain and an “All-High” selection in her senior year. Her specialty skill was in “serving” the ball. During the winter season Kim was on the basketball squad for three years, and the swimming squad her senior year. There she qualified for the finals at the All-High swim trials. The spring season saw Kim playing her most proficient sport, softball. She was team “co-MVP” and an All-High selection, alternating between pitcher and shortstop positions. She once recorded 1 6 strikeouts in a game, and participated in a post season All Star game following her senior season.

After high school Kim attended Hilbert College, where she continued her athletic career playing volleyball and softball. Kim earned a BA and MA degree from Hilbert College in Elementary Education, and is presently a 3rd grade teacher in the Clarence School District. Kim is the mother of 4 boys.